Ref S:State personnel system

Summary

"Submitting to the registered electors of the state of Colorado amendments to the Colorado Constitution concerning the state personnel system, and, in connection therewith, expanding the veterans' preference; increasing the number of candidates eligible to be appointed to a position; adjusting the duration of allowable temporary employment; allowing the flexibility to remove a limited number of positions from the system; modifying the residency requirement; adjusting the terms of service for members of the state personnel board; and requiring merit-based appointments to be made through a comparative analysis process."

Yes

According to a legislative analysis, approving Referendum S would allow temporary workers to be hired for up to nine months (previously six); allow six candidates to be considered for open jobs, up from three; allow the state personnel director, instead of the personnel board, to determine rules ranking job candidates; loosen residency requirements near state borders; change terms on the state personnel board term to three years with two-term limit; plus other minor changes.

No

Employees of the state of Colorado continue serving under the old personnel system; state personnel board term length remains at five years with no term limits.

Yes

No

Yes

Expands the pool of job candidates and allows the state to consider a broader range of candidates. Allows greater discretion in hiring temporary workers. Limits "career politicians" on the state personnel board. Allows the governor greater leeway in hiring staff.

No

Gives the governor and political appointees too much leeway in hiring. The change is unnecessary. Nine months of temporary work is too long. Amendment would give personnel director and governor too much power over the residency requirement of applicants and board members, respectively.